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Work-Related Neck and Back Injuries

Summary:
Work-related neck and back injuries often result in huge medical expenses, causing financial stress for an injured worker.

Work-related neck and back injuries may be quite serious, rendering the worker incapable of performing their job duties. These injuries often cause immense pain and may leave the person incapable of returning to their day-to-day routine. These types of injuries are commonly suffered in construction accidents, caused by machinery malfunction, pulling, pushing, or lifting heavy objects.

Common Types of Neck and Back Injuries

Disc injuries: The spine has discs that act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae. Injuries to the discs can occur to a worker lifting heavy weights, and may cause immense pain and restrict movement. The more severe disc injuries may have to be treated with surgery.

Whiplash: Whiplash is one of the most common types of injuries sustained in vehicle accidents. The symptoms of a whiplash injury are muscle spasms, neck and shoulder pain, and headache that may last for an extended time after the injury.

Spinal fractures: Falls and other high impact accidents can cause fractures to the spinal vertebrae. The fractures can range from being mild to severe, and the more severe types may require surgical treatment.

Long-Term Effects of Neck and Back Injuries

Neck and back injuries can have life changing consequences for an injured worker, affecting his or her long-term health and well being. The neural pathways in the spine can become damaged because of the injury, seriously affecting other body parts as well. Neck and back injuries may cause the following symptoms:

Loss of sensation and numbness.

Problems in breathing.

Inability to grip things.

Inability to regulate blood pressure and heart rate.

Bone and muscular degeneration.

Radiating and intense pain.

An injured worker who suffers from neck and back injuries may have to undergo prolonged treatment, which may be quite expensive. Even for minor injuries the injured worker may have to go through diagnostic tests such as MRIs and may have to make several doctor visits to ensure that the injuries are not serious. For severe injuries, an injured worker may have to go through extensive medical treatment, surgeries, long-term physical therapy, costing thousands of dollars.

St. Louis Workers' Compensation Attorney

Work-related neck and back injuries many times result in huge medical expenses. Workers' compensation benefits are used to help an injured worker pay for these expenses, including lost wages. However, it might not always be very easy to receive the compensation, and the employer or the insurance company may dispute the claim. For assistance, contact The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann at (314) 361-4300.

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